Environmental security forces crack down on violations related to starting fires and overgrazing
As part of ongoing efforts to protect the environment and natural resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security their intensive field campaigns to apprehend violators of the environmental system, and recently managed to apprehend two separate cases related to damage to the vegetation cover in the Madinah region and the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve.
Details of seizures and prescribed penalties
The Special Forces for Environmental Security announced that they apprehended a citizen in the Madinah region for violating environmental regulations by lighting a fire in an unauthorized area, disregarding instructions and guidelines aimed at preserving vegetation. Legal procedures were immediately applied against him. In this context, the forces reiterated their warning that the penalty for lighting fires in forests or national parks outside designated areas is a fine of up to 3,000 riyals .
In another incident, a citizen was apprehended for violating environmental regulations by entering the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve in his vehicle and grazing 13 camels in prohibited areas. Authorities confirmed that the penalty for illegal camel grazing is a fine of 500 riyals per camel , reflecting the strict enforcement of the environmental regulations.
National context: Vision 2030 and environmental protection
These seizures come within the context of a broad national movement underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative. The leadership has given unprecedented attention to environmental protection, exemplified by the establishment of the Special Forces for Environmental Security as a specialized security agency, and the development of royal reserves to serve as safe havens for wildlife and plant life. These efforts aim to restore ecological balance, combat the desertification that has plagued the region for decades, and ensure the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.
The importance of adhering to environmental regulations
The commitment to preventing overgrazing and regulating fire lighting is of paramount importance that goes beyond mere law enforcement; it contributes to:
- Soil protection: Preventing soil degradation and erosion resulting from the removal of vegetation cover.
- Biodiversity: Preserving rare wild plants and providing a suitable environment for the reproduction of wild animals.
- Quality of life: Improving the local climate and reducing dust storms by increasing green spaces.
Official reporting channels
The Special Forces for Environmental Security called on all citizens and residents to contribute to environmental protection by immediately reporting any incidents of environmental or wildlife abuse. Reports can be made by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. The Forces emphasized that all reports will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
